Generalized Conforming Element for the Analysis of the Laminated Composite Plates

Abstract

A simple displacement-based, quadrilateral 20 DOF (5 DOF per node) bending element based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) for the analysis of the arbitrary laminated composite plates is presented in this chapter. This element is constructed by the following procedure: (1) the variation functions of the rotation and the shear strain along each side of the element are determined using the Timoshenko’s beam theory; and (2) the shear strain, rotation and in-plane displacement fields in the domain of the element are then determined using the technique of improved interpolation. In fact, this is the scheme of assuming rotation and shear strain fields which has been introduced in the previous chapter. Furthermore, a simple hybrid procedure is also proposed to improve the stress solutions. The proposed element, denoted as CTMQ20, possesses the advantages of both the displacement-based and hybrid elements. Thus, excellent results for both displacements and stresses, especially for the transverse shear stresses, can be obtained.